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| Daulton Varsho drove in 5 runs and scored twice in a 11-4 comeback win over the Cubs |
After losing yesterday's matinee and spoiling the party on Jose Bautista's induction to the level of excellence, the Blue Jays were looking to snap a 3-game skid and avoid being swept for the 4th time this season. Hyun Jin Ryu got the start with Danny Jansen behind he plate. George Springer was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Vlad got the half day off as DH today with Brandon Belt at 1B. Matt Chapman was a late scratch with right middle finger inflammation. Santiago Espinal took his spot at the hot corner and Paul DeJong got the start at SS. Could the Blue Jays snap the three game skid and avoid being swept for the 4th time this season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Cubs took the lead in the top of the 1st as Dansby Swanson doubled scoring Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ
- The Blue jays took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Daulton Varsho drilled a 3- run jack to right: also scoring Cavan Biggio and Danny Jansen
- Five batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled scoring Whit Merrifield
- A batter later, George Springer singled scoring Brandon Belt
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Guerrero Jr singled home Merrifield
- The batters later, Varsho single scoring Belt and Guerrero Jr
- Jameson Taillon pitching line: 3IP 8H 8R (all earned) 2BB 2K 89 pitches (53 for strikes)
- Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 5IP 2H 2R (both unearned) 2BB 3K 86 pitches (53 for strikes)
- The Cubs got a pair back in the top of the 7th as Patrick Wisdom hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Swanson
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Santiago Espinal singled scoring Biggio
- A batter later, Paul DeJong singled home Varsho
- A batter after that, Merrifield doubled home Espinal
- Final score, Blue Jays 11 Cubs 4
My Take:
- Hyun- Jin Ryu battles through five innings, giving up a pair of unearned runs on two hits while walking 2 and striking out two. The biggest plus from this start is he showed no ill effects from the comebacks that forced him to leave his last start early. In fact, Ryu got stronger as the game went on and retired the last seven batters he faced. Shouldthe Blue Jays make the playoffs, there is a good chance he'll have a role, perhaps out of the bullpen as a third lefty.
- The bullpen gave up a pair of runs on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3 over the last 4 innings. Jay Jackson gave up both runs as Patrick Wisdom took him deep. Genesis Cabrera and Erik Swanson threw perfect innings. Nate Pearson was a bit shaky, allowing a hit and a walk but he escaped the jam without giving up a run
- Daulton Varsho had a huge day with 5 RBI and 2 runs scored, including a 3-run bomb. Vlad responded to the critics with a pair of RBI and a run scored
- Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Danny Jansen had at least one hit. Every starter but George Springer and Paul DeJong scored at least once. DeJong collected his first RBI in a Blue Jays uniform, singling home Varsho.
- The Blue Jays were 8-17 with runners in scoring position.
- With the win, the Blue Jays improved to 19-22 on my birthday. The Blue jays did not play due to off days in 1981, 2001 and 2020. The season ended two days prior to my birthday in 1994 due to a player's strike
- Up next, after an off day tomorrow, the Blue Jays begin a 2-game mini series against the Phillies, who swept them in Philadelphia back in May, outscoring the Blue Jays 10-5. Yusei Kikuchi starts against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler.
